Williamson Named Top California Owner

Warren Williamson and his Nashoba's Key proved to be big winners in California.

Warren Williamson was voted owner of the year, and his racemare Nashoba’s Key was chosen horse of the year, in the Thoroughbred of California’s annual owner awards selection. Williamson’s runners made 28 starts in California in 2007, posting 11 wins, including six stakes wins and earnings of $1,177,680. Nashoba’s Key accounted for seven of those victories, including wins in four California graded stakes, and $863,460 in earnings in the Golden State.

Nashoba’s Key has continued where she left off. She won the March 9 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I).

In other voting, Kevin Kleczka was chosen rookie of the year. He became a licensed owner in California in March 2007. His horses made 17 starts, with four different horses winning six times and earning more than $100,000.

The 2007 story of the year was the "The Year of Synthetic Surfaces in California."

Awards also will be presented for winners in several other categories. Robert Bone took top honors in two categories: by California purse money ($1,626,598) and by number of California races won (67). The award for number of California stakes wins went to Frank Stronach’s Stronach Stables. The outfit’s Citronnade and Sugar Shake combined for seven stakes wins.

Ceremonies will take place March 15 in Southern California and April 12 in Northern California. The March 15 ceremony will include the presentation of the annual Ed Friendly Industry Service Award, which will be made by TOC chairwoman, Marsha Naify.